Alberta Restricts MAID Eligibility

The government of Canada===Alberta, led by Premier Danielle Smith and the Canada===United Conservative Party, has introduced a bill to significantly restrict eligibility for medical assistance in dying (MAID). The proposed legislation would limit MAID to individuals expected to die of natural causes within a year, mirroring Canada's initial 2016 rules. It would also continue to ban MAID for those under 18, restrict mental illness as a sole condition, prohibit medical professionals from referring patients to other provinces for MAID, and create new professional sanctions for rule-breakers. Additionally, the bill would require new training for MAID providers, prevent medical professionals from discussing MAID unless initiated by the patient, and prohibit advance requests for MAID. Canada===Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery stated that a previous Canada===Quebec court decision, which led to the federal expansion of MAID eligibility, is not binding on Canada===Alberta, and the province is prepared to defend the bill in court.